YEAR 299
RENLY
His plan was going perfectly, the Tyrells were willing to go to war against the Lannisters if it meant ending the old lion's influence. Lord Mace Tyrell would be the new Hand while Margaery would be the new queen. Westeros would not know a better queen or better princes would be born, after all, what the Seven Kingdoms needed was for the Andal culture to expand to all corners.
Faith would be on your side. The era of incestuous marriages was over. The Reach, the best of the Seven Kingdoms, would be a model to follow. Over time, even the North and the Iron Islands could be habitable and civilized places. The only thing that was missing was to incriminate Cersei, it would be enough to put a lover in his bed and the whole Kingdom would doubt the legitimacy of the golden princes.
"Renly", Loras asked, his handsome young man. "Are you sure your plan will work out?"
"Yes, I'm sure", replied Renly, who had the backing of Loras' father. "And you will wear a beautiful white cloak."
They stopped riding as soon as they saw an inn. Storm's End wasn't far away but it wasn't worth speeding up the journey. A good meal and a warm bed was all he needed at the time, a bed he could share with his flower knight.
After eating, he asked that no one disturb him. The blonde innkeeper gave him a mischievous smile and assured them that no one would interrupt him. Renly was satisfied, if he were not a nobleman everyone would condemn what the Faith called sin, fortunately for him, people only looked the other way.
"What was that?" asked Loras after hearing a loud crunch.
"I don't know", replied Renly sleepily.
"I'll get dressed and come down. They could be bandits; I could save the lives of everyone in this inn."
Minutes later, someone entered the room. More shadow than man, he approached him and stabbed him several times in his belly; Renly began to feel that the world was losing color.
"The Lannisters send you greetings, Lord Renly", said the man. They want you to know that Cersei will always be queen.
Renly didn't know how the Lannisters found out about their plan. Unfortunately for him, death claimed him before he could even reflect on his killer's words.
Later that year
The King was upset, he didn't like to attend to his duties on the days he had reserved for the Chataya's brothel. Even so, the matter could not wait, Robert had to know before it was too late, before the Lannisters could manipulate him. Jon knew Robert would believe him, after all, he was like a father to him.
"Jon", said the King with deference. Only with him was he so respectful.
"Sit down majesty", Jon Arryn replied. "We must talk about Renly."
"Do you know who murdered him?" he asked enthusiastically.
"No", confessed Jon, who despite being suspicious of the Lannisters had no proof.
"Then it wasn't Stannis", he joked.
Lord Jon Arryn frowned. He didn't like the bad relationship Robert had with Lord Stannis.
"This is serious, majesty."
"Okay, tell me what you know."
"Your brother Renly was guilty of sedition."
"How do you say? Renly?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. He wanted to accuse his wife of adultery in order to marry you to Lord Tyrell's daughter."
"Lady Margaery? She's fitter for him than me, she might even be my Joffrey's wife, if not for my plan to engage him to Ned's daughter."
"Lord Renly thought the influence of the Lannisters was dangerous."
"Then he wanted to trade lions for roses", Robert complained.
"That's right", Jon admitted.
"Lord Tyrell was slow to show me his support, and he almost starved my family's castle. We'll have to punish him, he could give Highgarden to the Florents. That ugly sister-in-law of mine insists on being nobler than the Tyrells."
"Your Majesty, if I may, I have a less controversial idea."
"Tell me."
"We can't let Renly's plot with Lord Tyrell go public. It would be bad for your image. Let me go to Highgarden to listen to my proposal, which will be secret, not even the Lannisters will find out."
"And what is that proposal? "
"Engaging Margaery to Ned's firstborn."
"Hmmm", Robert mumbled. "I had planned to commit Robb Stark to my Myrcella."
"It is enough for Prince Joffrey to get engaged to Ned's daughter. You have three sons, majesty, each one is a distinct covenant. Joffrey will give you the North; Tommen will marry Shireen and secure the Baratheon lineage in the Stormlands; Myrcella may be the key to peace with Dorne.
"And how are you sure Lord Tyrell will accept?" Moreover, that is not even a punishment, it is just a reprimand, the girl will marry a Lord Paramount's son."
"The punishment, majesty, is to send Ser Loras to Night's Watch.
"I like that. I never liked that boy, too braggart, he couldn't even defend Renly."
"So, do you accept my proposal?"
"Okay, Jon. Let the Tyrells go North, that will teach them not to conspire behind my back."
Jon nodded and stood up.
"Jon, one thing."
"Yes, majesty?"
"Is the Tyrell girl cute?"
"Everyone insists that it is, majesty."
"Ned's son is lucky," he replied, laughing.
Jon didn't pay attention to the comment, he wasn't as lustful as his adopted son. Even so, his lust would be of some use when he had to father new children. If not for the ambition of the Tyrells, young Margaery could be considered as a future wife for Robert, but the betrayal had to be punished and it would be better to reward another house.
For the time being he would feign friendship with the Lannisters. Appointing Joffrey as Prince of Dragonstone was the first gesture in their false alliance. With Stannis as Lord Paramount of Stormlands, the Targaryens' ancestral home was left without a lord. Even so, he had to be cautious, giving too much power to the Lannisters would make it impossible for him to accuse Cersei of incest.
"Oh, Stannis! I hope this plan doesn't cost me my life."